Fish of the Florida Keys
& Key West

BLUE MARLIN
(Makaira nigricans)

Description: color cobalt blue on top shading to silvery white on bottom;
upper jaw elongated in form of spear; dorsal fin and pointed at front
end; pectoral fin and anal fin pointed; lateral line reticulated (interwoven
like a net), difficult to see in large specimens; no dark spots on dorsal
fin; body covered with imbedded scales ending in one or two sharp points.

Found: OFFSHORE, a blue water fish.

Size: largest of the Atlantic marlins, common to 11 feet, known to exceed
2,000 pounds.

SAILFISH
(Istiophorus platypterus)

Description: color dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally, silvery white
underbelly; upper jaw elongated in form of spear; first dorsal greatly
enlarged in the form of a sail, with many black spots, its front squared
off, highest at its midpoint; pelvic fins very narrow, reaching almost
to the anus; body covered with imbedded scales, blunt at end; lateral
line curved over pectoral, then straight to base of tail.

Found: OFFSHORE species, in south Florida associated with waters near
the Gulf Stream; off the Panhandle near the 100-fathom line.

Found: primarily INSHORE fish inhabiting shallows of the Florida Keys;
found in shallows often less than 1 foot deep, usually over lush grass
flats, occasionally over white sand.

Size: 3 to 5 pounds.

TARPON
(Megalops atlanticus)

Description: last ray of dorsal fin extended into long filament; one
dorsal fin; back dark blue to green or greenish black shading into bright
silver on the sides; may be brownish gold in estuarine waters; huge scales;
mouth large and points upward.

Found: primarily INSHORE fish, although adult fish spawn OFFSHORE where
the ribbon-like larval stage of the fish can be found.

Found: bottom dwelling fish associated with hard bottom; juveniles OFFSHORE
along with adults greater than 6 years old; fish from 1 to 6 years old
occupy NEARSHORE reefs.

Size: common to 15 pounds.

DOLPHIN
(Coryphaena hippurus)

Description: bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with capability
of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors; body
tapers sharply from head to tail; irregular blue or golden blotches scattered
over sides; anterior profile of head on adult males is nearly vertical;
head of females more sloping; the single dark dorsal fin extends from
just behind the head to the tail; anal fin margin concave and extending
from anus to tail.

Found: OFFSHORE in warm waters.

Size: common to 30 pounds.

Mutton Snapper
(Lutjanus analis)

Description: color olive green on back and upper sides, all fins below
the lateral line having reddish tinge; bright blue line below eye, following
contour of operculum; anal fin pointed; small black spot below dorsal
fin; V-shaped tooth patch on roof of mouth.

Found: an INSHORE species associated with grassbeds, mangroves, and
canals; larger adults occasionally found on OFFSHORE reefs.